Read in Chinese

Speakers:

Mr. Guo Lanfeng, a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Leadership Group of the National Development and Reform Commission

Mr. Sun Yuning, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs of China

Mr. Sun Zhiyang, vice governor of the People's Government of Guangdong Province

Mr. Chan Kwok-ki , chief secretary for administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government

Mr. Qin Weizhong, deputy secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government

Ms. Lin Xin, a member of the CPC Leadership Group of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and secretary-general of the MOST

Chairperson:

Ms. Shou Xiaoli, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

Sept. 5, 2023

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Shou Xiaoli:

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office. Recently, the State Council issued a plan for the Shenzhen park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone (HTCZ ). Today, we have invited Mr. Guo Lanfeng, a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Leadership Group of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC); Mr. Sun Yuning, vice minister of the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC); Mr. Sun Zhiyang, vice governor of the People's Government of Guangdong Province; Mr. Chan Kwok-ki, chief secretary for administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government; Mr. Qin Weizhong, deputy secretary of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government; and Ms. Lin Xin, a member of the CPC Leadership Group of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) and secretary-general of the MOST, to brief you on the plan and take your questions.

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Guo Lanfeng for a brief introduction.

Guo Lanfeng:

Good afternoon, friends from the media. Thank you very much for your interest in and support for the HTCZ. The cooperation zone plays a crucial role in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to all those from various sectors of society who care about and support the development of the GBA.

The CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great attention to the construction of the HTCZ. On July 1, 2017, General Secretary Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of the Framework Agreement on Deepening Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Cooperation in the Development of the GBA between the NDRC and the governments of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, which explicitly called for the joint development and construction of the HTCZ. On Oct. 14, 2020, General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, clearly stating the need to plan and build the HTCZ. The Outline Development Plan for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA issued by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council also made specific requirements for the coordinated development of Hetao by Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

In recent years, in accordance with the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we have worked together with Guangdong province, the Hong Kong SAR, Shenzhen city, and relevant departments to study and formulate the plan for the Shenzhen park of the HTCZ. A few days ago, this plan was officially released by the State Council.

The plan serves as a foundational document for advancing the development and construction of the HTCZ. I will provide you with a brief interpretation. Its main content can be summarized as: three key positionings, two-stage objectives, four dimensions of layout, four major tasks, and various safeguard measures.

The three key positionings are: serving as a pioneering zone for Shenzhen-Hong Kong science and technology innovation and cooperation, serving as a testing ground for international advanced science and technology innovation rules, and acting as a hub for pilot-scale tests and transformation in the GBA.

The two-stage objectives are set for the years 2025 and 2035, concerning the scientific and technological innovation system and the flow of innovative elements, among others.

The four dimensions of layout are: regional coordination, spatial layout within the zone, regional supervision, and the layout of major infrastructure.

The four major tasks are mainly as follows. First, promoting international scientific and technological innovation in coordination with Hong Kong. Specifically, promoting the coordinated development of the Shenzhen and Hong Kong parks, supporting the elevation of Hong Kong and Macao universities' strengths in key disciplines, and jointly establishing world-class scientific and technological innovation platforms. Second, building an internationally competitive base for industrial pilot-scale tests and transformation, with a focus on advancing breakthroughs in the new generation of information technology industries, supporting innovative applications in advanced biomedicine technology, and accelerating the development of cutting-edge fields in artificial intelligence and the digital economy. Third, constructing an international scientific and technological innovation system and mechanism. To be specific, facilitating the movement of researchers, implementing segmented management of goods, supervising the cross-border flow of research-related funds in an innovative way, exploring the safe and orderly cross-border flow of international internet data, accelerating the establishment of a higher-level intellectual property protection system, creating a tax environment aligned with Hong Kong, implementing international employment and social security policies, harmonizing with global research management systems and mechanisms, and establishing a highly convenient market access system. Fourth, creating a scientific and technological cooperation platform that attracts global talent, with a focus on deepening international exchanges and cooperation, building an international talent hub for innovation, enhancing comprehensive research services, and shaping an international, high-quality research community.

The introduction of the plan will enable Shenzhen to innovate in its management mechanisms for science and technology, align its policies with internationally accepted innovation rules, initiate internationally coordinated innovation, and transform itself into a modern, international, and innovative city. Furthermore, it will facilitate the in-depth alignment of Hong Kong's advantages in scientific and technological innovation and financial openness with the comprehensive industrial chains of the Pearl River Delta. This will advance Hong Kong's efforts in building an international innovation and technology center and aid in the planning and development of Hong Kong's Northern Metropolis. Additionally, it will enrich the practice of "one country, two systems," assisting Hong Kong in integrating into China's overall development, fostering the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA, and creating world-class innovation platforms and growth areas.

Next, we will rigorously implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council. Alongside relevant departments, we will enhance communication and coordination and provide diligent follow-up services. We remain committed to supporting Guangdong province and Shenzhen city in partnership with Hong Kong SAR. This collaboration aims at proficiently rolling out the plan and ensuring the steady and sustained advancement of the HTCZ's development and construction.

Thank you!